Hotel History

Hotel History

Originally opened in 1969, The Fairmont Dallas became the luxury Dallas destination overnight, in what many considered the country's most exciting and dynamic city. The downtown hotel was a dramatic addition to the Dallas Skyline and was dubbed the city's finest hotel.

Often called "the Arts District Hotel," The Fairmont Dallas remains at the center of downtown Dallas' many unique attractions including The Dallas Museum of Art, I.M. Pei-designed Meyerson Symphony Hall, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas World Aquarium, West End Historic District, Nasher Sculpture Center and American Airlines Center (home of the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks) - all located within blocks of the hotel.

Entertainment is an integral part of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts tradition. Since its inception, The Fairmont Dallas, Texas hotel has hosted many of the city’s most important social, charitable, civic and business events during its forty-one year history and the famed Venetian Room has showcased many of the world's most beloved entertainers.

The Fairmont Dallas Grand Opening

The Fairmont Dallas set the new standard for excellence in accommodations, service, fine dining and world-class entertainment when it opened in 1969, and has been the source of countless memories over the years. The Fairmont Dallas immediately set the new standard of luxury for hotels in the city, and indeed the nation. Hailed by local critics, the hotel was not only opulent, but innovative as well. Among the hotel’s unique features were eleven kitchens--one dedicated exclusively to room service; individually styled guest rooms; and an in-house bakery that provided guests with baked goods, literally hot out of the oven.

A formal gala opening was scheduled for The Fairmont Dallas for May 7, 1969. In April a water main on the mezzanine level burst, sending three to four inches of water onto the floor and through the ceiling of the lobby, ruining several thousand feet of carpeting. The hotel recovered, however, for the lavish May 7 official opening.Labeled Le Bal de Dallas, the glitzy party doubled as a benefit for the Dallas Civic Opera. The Arabian Nights-themed party was over the top, even by Dallas standards. Guests were greeted by six uniformed trumpeters and the lobby was the setting for seventy-five violinists, living exotic fish in aquarium displays, Persian dancers and a shower of golden confetti and caviar by the ton. Dinner courses were served in parade form, beginning with the soup course, led by two live gold and silver-clad baby elephants, each carrying a costumed woman tossing fake gold nuggets, pulled from cauldrons of steaming dry ice, to the party guests. Following dessert, the elephants reappeared, drawing a coach carrying singer Robert Goulet, who serenaded the guests. Thus began the long tradition of glamorous galas at The Fairmont Dallas.The Regency Ballroom, the largest in the state at the time, was illuminated by 15 crystal chandeliers, each seven feet in diameter. It was the largest of more than 22 meeting rooms, enabling The Fairmont Dallas to accommodate every conceivable event. The lobby welcomed guests with black marble walls, adorned with bronze mirrors, a three-story ceiling from which hung three massive chandeliers, copper planters from Turkey and a tapestry incorporating the iconic Fairmont “F” custom made in a California monastery. A raised dais served as a champagne bar from brunch until midnight. Shops lining corridors off of the lobby included Neiman-Marcus and Corrigan’s Jewelers.

The Pyramid Room, the Fairmont Dallas’ intimate French restaurant, was hailed by local critics, one of whom stated, “The very atmosphere promises exciting dining and the promise is fulfilled.” The elegant dining room featured a rosewood foyer and a bronze and copper sculpture studded with semi-precious stones and was centered under a namesake inverted pyramid shaped light fixture weighing six tons.

The “gem” of the new hotel was the renowned Venetian Room, a recreation of the world famous show room of its sister hotel in San Francisco. The opulent venue which boasted fourteen seven-foot tall chandeliers, gold moldings and specially commissioned murals painted in Italy, quickly became a legendary setting for intimate, cabaret-style entertainment by A-list performers and was considered by many as the premier venue between New York and Las Vegas.

The Venetian Room opened in April 1969 with singer Jack Jones, and the list of high-caliber singers, comedians and Hollywood and television stars that followed him form a Who’s-Who of the entertainment world of the last forty years. It would likely be easier to name the stars who didn’t appear at the Venetian Room, but a very short list who did include Carol Channing, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Ike & Tina Turner, Jerry Lewis, Peggy Lee, Bernadette Peters, Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Marlene Dietrich and Sonny and Cher. Many of these stars returned for repeat appearances over the years and The Fairmont Dallas staff learned their likes and dislikes, and ensured that Ginger Rogers and Jose Feliciano each had a supply of their favorites on hand.

For over forty years, The Fairmont Dallas has been the setting for countless civic, social, cultural, convention and corporate events, but more importantly the setting for countless wonderful memories.